Nondrip nozzle



Oct. 12, 1954 G. ROYCE NONDRIP NOZZLE Filed March 31, 3.952

IN VEN TOR W1 ll d 1 ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 12, 1954 UNITED ,STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to fluid dispensing nozzles and more particularly to anti-drip nozzles for dispensing fluids such as kerosene and the like hydrocarbon fluids having very high thermal expansion characteristics.

The anti-drip dispensing nozzle of the present invention is designed to replace the spigot or tap on conventional piston type measuring pumps used for dispensing kerosene, mineral spirits, white gasoline and other hydrocarbon compounds. Such pumps most conventionally occur as one-gallon hand lift pumps used on aboveground storage tanks or as pedestal pumps connected to underground storage tanks.

conventionally, these pumps are designed as lift pumps and to this end are provided with a piston having a foot valve forming an inlet for admitting the fluid from the storage tank to the piston chamber on the down stroke of the piston. The piston chamber is of a volume to just accommodate one gallon of the fluid When the piston is at its lowermost position, so that lifting of the piston through a complete stroke expels one gallon of the fluid from the discharge spigot. A manual control valve is provided at the discharge end to shut off the spigot when the pump is not in use.

Provision should be made in such dispensing pumps for accommodating additional quantities of the fluid to compensate for the volume displacement of the piston, and to permit expansion of the fluid resulting from thermal expansion over the range of expected temperature variation in the area in which the pump is located.

One solution, and perhaps the most common solution employed to eliminate drip from the spigot arising from the rise of the liquid level due to thermal expansion, has been to incorporate a drip pipe and drip pan for covering the discharge end of the spigot and collecting and returning the fluid to the storage tank, such as illustrated in the Wyckoff Patent No. 1,431,768.

One disadvantage of this arrangement, however, is that it requires the drip pipe to be placed over the discharge end of the spigot when the pump is not being used, which makes it necessary to unlock the drip pan cover of the supply tank and push the drip pipe and cover aside before pumping. The result is that they tank is often left uncovered, allowing for the entrance of dirt and water. Moreover, it has not been possible heretofore to design a water-proof cover and drip pan for use with a drip pipe.

Other solutions to the problem have been attempted by providing a small spring loaded check valve in the side of the top cylinder head casting for the pump, to be loaded so as to prevent liquid from passing through the valve on upward or downward stroke of the plunger by permitting liquid to leak through the valve and back into the supply tank under pressure developed by thermal expansion of the liquid. It has been found, however, that such an arrangement usually permits the liquid to leak through the packing gland before the pressure became high enoughto open the spring loaded valve, causing short measure to be delivered by the pump.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is the provision of a novel discharge nozzle for lift pumps and the like which accommodates rise of the liquid level in the pump due to thermal expansion without permitting loss of fluid through the nozzle.

Another object is the provision of a novel fluid discharge nozzle for use with kerosene lift pumps and the like, which nozzle is normally open and accommodates changes in fluid level without permitting escape of fluid through the nozzle.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a normally open discharge nozzle for lift pumps for kerosene and like liquids subject to pronounced thermal expansion which accommodates expansion of the liquid level above the standard measured liquid level to prevent loss of liquid through the nozzle when the pump is motionless.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein only a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an anti-drip nozzle embodying the present invention coupled'to a conventional kerosene lift pump, with parts shown in section to illustrate the essential internal components of the pump;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the anti-drip nozzle embodying the present invention;

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section taken along the lines 3-3 of Figure 1, and illustrating the anti-drip nozzle in rear elevation;

Figure 4; is a vertical longitudinal section of the anti-drip nozzle taken along the lines 4-5 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse section through the anti-drip nozzle taken along the lines 5-5 of Figure 4.

The present invention in general comprises a 3 discharge nozzle for a liquid lift pump with a downwardly directed discharge conduit portion terminating at .a point considerably above the position of the conduit coupling fluid from the pump to the discharge nozzle and connected to the discharge nozzle by a vertically and upwardly inclined conduit rising to the upper terminus of the discharge conduit portion, the lower portion of the conduit walls defining a barrier to prevent the liquid from reaching the discharge conduit portion for a considerable distance above the normal measured liquid level or" the pump. To accommodate additional quantities of liquid coupled to the discharge nozzle resulting from thermal expansion of the liquid or displacement by the reciprocating piston, an aperture is provided in the lowermost portion of the inclined conduit for coupling fluid into an expansion chamber formed around the inclined conduit and open to atmosphere at its upper end. The throat is constricted in the region adjacent the aperture to form -'a Venturi throat, so that fiuid which has expanded to the expansion chamber will be exhausted by negative pressure generated at the Venturi throat when liquid is expelled into the discharge nozzle on manual operation of the pump.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description, referring to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures.

Referring particularly to Figure 1 of the drawing, the anti-drip liquid dispensing nozzle forming this invention is indicated by the reference character In and is shown in association with a conventional type of kerosene lift pump indicated generally by the reference character ll. It is to be understood, however, that the instant liquid dispensing nozzle is suitable for use with any conventional type of fluid dispensing pump wherein input to the nozzle corresponds generally with the upper liquid level for the standard measured quantity of liquid to be dispensed by the pump.

The pump illustrated is of a conventional construction, comprising generally a storage tank l2 supporting the pump cylinder [3 into which the liquid is to be drawn from the storage tank l2. A bottom cylinder head I4 is formed at the top of the storage tank l2 and designed to admit the liquid to the cylinder 13. A top cylinder head 15 of conventional construction is provided for the cylinder l3. The cylinder head H3, in accordance with conventional practice, is resiliently biased downwardly to a position immediately below the lower edge of the outlet pipe, to be later described, to retard evaporation of the fluid, and is forced upwardly when the lift pump is actuated under the pressure created in the cylinder to allow the fluid to be discharged. A piston or plunger l5 moves vertically within the chamber I3 controlled by the piston rod 11, the plunger carrying a plunger leather Hia about its outer periphery which is resiliently biased toward the walls of the cylinder [-3 and snugly fits the same to prevent leakage of liquid about the plunger 16 between the plunger and the cylinder walls.

The plunger is likewise provided with a suitable poppet or fiap valve 161) serving as a check valve to permit liquid to pass above the plunger 16 when the plunger moves downwardly within the cylinder and preventing escape of liquid on the up-stroke of the plunger.

An upper housing indicated at l8 extends above the top cylinder head 15 and houses a vertically extending rack l9 engaged by a pinion 20 mounted on a horizontal pinion shaft 2|. The shaft 2! extends outwardly of the housing and has a crank 22 rigidly fixed thereto so that on manual rotation of the crank 22, the rack It and the plunger I6 connected therewith are moved upwardly or downwardly, depending upon the direction of rotation of the crank 22.

A horizontal outlet pipe 23 extends laterally from the top cylinder head (5, so that on lifting of the plunger 16 by rotation of the crank 22, fluid trapped above the plunger 46 in the cylinder I3 is expelled through the outlet pipe 23.

The anti-drip nozzle I0 is formed of a metal casting =24 coupled to the end of the outlet pipe 23 in a conventional manner by the usual threaded fitting 24'. The discharge nozzle Iii has a fiuid discharge conduit generally indicated at 25, shaped in. the form of an upwardly arching gooseneck or distorted U for coupling the liquid from the end of the outlet pipe 23 to the downwardly directed pipe fitting 2 6. The conduit 25 is formed of an upwardly inclined portion '21 extending from the threaded fitting 2 5" for approximately two-thirds the length of the conduit 25 and then arched downwardly as indicated at 28, to form a downwardly directed outlet portion -29 into the end of which the exhaust pipe fitting 2G is threaded. The lower wall 28' of the arched portion 28 at its highest point is elevated somewhat above the upper extremity of the outlet pipe 23, so that the lower wall 21' of the inclined portion '21 and the lower wall 28 of the arched portion 28 serve as a barrier to normally prevent the small expansions of the volume of the liquid in the cylinder i3, ranging up to approximately 25 or 30 cubic centimetors, from expanding above the arched lower wall 28 and prevent loss of liquid through the open end of the nozzle. An expansion chamber 30 having a lower wall portion 31 and an u per wall portion -32 extends entirely around the inclined portion 21 of the conduit 25 and is coupled to the inclined conduit portion 27 near the lower end thereof by means of an aperture 33 in the :lower wall portion 21'. A relief aperture 34 is provided in a suitable fitting 34 disposed in the upper wall 32 of the expansion chamber 38' to maintain the pressure surface of any liquid coupled into the expansion chamber 30 at atmospheric pressure. A threaded drain fitting 35 is provided in the lower wall portion 3| of the expansion chamber 30 for cleaning and draining the pump.

The portion of the inclined conduit portion 21 adjacent the expansion aperture 33 is constructed as indicated at 36 to form a Venturi throat adjacent the aperture 33.

o eration ofthe anti-drip nozzle is substantially as follows:

With the pump plunger [-6 motionless and kerosene or other liquid in the desired measured quantity held above the plunger It in the cylinder l3, increases in the temperature surrounding the pump will produce volumetric expansion of the kerosene within the cylinder 13 approximately '36 cc. "per 15 r ise in'tempera'ture. Since the liquid level 'in the cylinder I3 is always maintained at or immediately adjacent the upper wall of the outlet pipe 23, the elevation of the plunger 16 by means of the rack and pinion l9 and 20 and crank 22 through a preselected linear distance will discharge a metered quantity of kerosene through the outlet.

When the temperature surrounding the tank rises, the kerosene within the cylinder 13 expands, raising the liquid level. As the liquid level begins to pass up the inclined portion 21 of the discharge conduit'25, the liquid flows through the aperture 33 and into the expansion chamber 30 surrounding the inclined conduit portion 21. The pressure in the expansion chamber 30 is, of course, dissipated through the relief aperture 34 as the liquid level within the expansion chamber rises. The height of the lower wall of the inclined portion 2'1 and of the lower wall 28' of the arched portion 28 being somewhat higher than the upper end of the outlet pip 23, rapid elevation of the liquid level over a small range will be prevented from eirecting discharge of fluid into the outlet portion 29 of the nozzle I0. When, however, the pump handle 22 is rotated to elevate the plunger l6 and discharge a metered quantity of the liquid through the nozzle I0, the flow of liquid through the constricted Venturi throat 36 of the inclined conduit portion 2? creates a negative pressure in the expansion aperture 33, drawing the liquid which has expanded into the chamber at out of the chamber and into the stream of fluid being expelled from the nozzle with the aid of the atmospheric pressure coupled to the upper surface of the fluid in the chamber through the relief opening 341. Thus each time the pump crank 22 is operated to expel liquid, the expansion chamber 30 is exhausted of all liquid which has expanded therein during the rest period.

It will be apparent from the above description that a novel anti-drip discharge nozzle for kerosene and like liquids having marked thermal expansion characteristics has been provided which efiiciently and effectively prevents liquid from draining through the discharge outlet on thermal expansion of the liquid within the pump or volumetric expansion due to plunger displacement on movement through the cylinder, and evades the necessity of providing drain traps, check valves and the like which are undesirable from operational and maintenance standpoints.

While but one embodiment of the invention has been particularly shown and described, it is distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but that various modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and it is desired that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and are set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An anti-drip nozzle for dispensing liquids of high thermal expansion characteristics and the like from a pump comprising, a discharge conduit having inlet and outlet ends, a closed expansion chamber positioned adjacent the inlet end of said conduit for receiving liquid thermally expanding from the pump into said conduit, said conduit and said chamber communicating by a passage extending therebetween located adjacent the inlet end of said conduit, a portion of said conduit forming retaining wall means rising above the level of said passage for retaining thermally expanding liquid from said pump inwardly of said outlet end, and means for exhausting the liquid from said expansion chamber into said discharge conduit upon forced discharge of liquid from said pump through said discharge conduit.

2. An anti-drip nozzle to be associated in stationary relation on a pump for dispensing liquids of high thermal expansion characteristics and the like from the pump comprising, a discharge conduit having inlet and outlet ends, a closed expansion chamber positioned adjacent the inlet end of said conduit for receivingli'quid thermally expanding from the pumpinto said conduit, said conduit-and said chamber communicating by a passage extending therebetween located adjacent said inlet end, a portion of said conduit forming a retaining wall located between said passage and said outlet end and rising above the level of said passage for containing liquid thermally expanding into said conduit inwardly of said outlet end, and aspirator means formed in said conduit for exhausting the liquid from said expansion chamber on forced discharge of liquid through said conduit. 7

3. An anti-drip nozzle for dispensing liquids of high thermal expansion characteristics and the like from a pump comprising, a discharge conduit having inlet and outlet ends, a closed expansion chamber open to atmosphere surrounding said conduit adjacent the inlet end thereof for receiving liquid expanding from the pump into said eonduit, said conduit having an aperture in the lower wall thereof adjacent the inlet end thereof for coupling liquid into said expansion chamber, a

retaining wall formed of a portion of said conduit located between said aperture and said outlet end and extending above the liquid level on thermal expansion of liquid into said chamber for retaining thermally expanding liquid inwardly of the outer end of said conduit, and aspirator means formed in said conduit adjacent said aperture for exhausting the liquid from said expansion chamber through said conduit on forced discharge of:

the liquid through said conduit.

4. An anti-drip dispensing nozzle adapted to be associated in stationary relation with a conventional lift pump for liquids subject to expansion within th pump comprising, an upwardly arching discharge conduit having inlet and outlet ends, a closed expansion chamber surrounding said conduit adjacent the inlet end thereof and extending above the uppermost limit of said inlet end to receive liquid expanding from a pump connected thereto, said conduit having an aperture in the lower wall thereof adjacent the inlet end thereof for coupling liquid expanding from said pump into said expansion chamber, the rising portion of the lower wall of said conduit between said aperture and said outlet end defining a retaining wall extending above the uppermost limit of said inlet end to a point adjacent the upper wall of said expansion chamber to contain thermally expanding liquid inwardly of the outlet end of said conduit, and means for exhausting the liquid from said expansion chamber upon forced discharge of liquid from said pump through said conduit to entrain the exhausted liquid with said discharge liquid.

5. An anti-drip dispensing nozzle for use with a conventional lift pump for liquids subject to expansion within the pump comprising, a discharge conduit in the shape of an upwardly arching gooseneck having inlet and outlet ends, an expansion chamber positioned adjacent the inlet end of said conduit to receive liquid expanding from a pump connected thereto, said conduit having an aperture adjacent the inlet end thereof for coupling liquid expanding from said pump into said expansion chamber, a portion of said conduit being positioned to form a retaining wall rising above the level of said inlet end to contain the liquid inwardly of the outlet end of said conduit,

and meansin said conduit adjacent saidaperture creating negativepressure on forced discharge of liquid through said conduit for exhausting liquid from said expansion chamber.

6. An anti-drip dispensing nozzle for use with a conventional lift pump for liquids subject to eX- pansion within the pump comprising, a. discharge conduit in the shape of: any upwardly arching gooseneck having inlet and outlet ends, the portion of said conduit extending from the inlet end to the highest point of the arch arranged along an upwardly inclined axis, an expansion chamber opened at it'slupper end to atmosphericpres-r sure surrounding said inclined conduit portion for receiving liquid expanding from a pump connected. to said conduit, said conduit. having an aperture adjacent the lower end of said inclined portion for coupling liquid expanding from said pump into said expansion chamber, the lower wall of said inclined conduit portion defining a retaining barrier extending. a substantial. distance above the level of said inlet; ends to. contain the liquid inwardly of the outlet end of said conduit, and a tapered constriction formed in the wall of said inclined conduit portion adjacent said aperture for creatingnegative pressure on forced discharge of the liquid from said pump through said conduit for exhausting the liquid from said expansion chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS N mber N me Date 1,216,815 Kelly Feb. 20, 1917 1,575,423 Fenton Mar. 2, 1926 1,748,191 ROQS Feb. 25, 1930 

